Averbode Forest and Heather

Details: Parent Category: Province of Flemish Brabant; Category: Flemish Brabant - Walks; Last Updated: 16 August 2023; Hits: 952

This walking route, on the transition from the Kempen to the Hageland, goes through the beautiful nature area Averbode Bos and Heide. Vast forests alternate with fens, marshes, heathland and heathland grasslands.

Averbode Forest and Heather

Averbode Forest and Heather

Distance: 11 km

Duration: 3h00

Grade: Moderate

Gps track: Yes

Route description: Yes

Type: Circular walk

Height gain: 108 meters

Way mark: Nodes of hiking network

Wheelchair: Unsuitable

Dog: Allowed on leach

The Weefberg.

The walk starts at the former forester's house Den Eik and goes through forest to a piece of dry grassland. From there you walk on the Weefberg, one of the Diestian hills that cross Belgium from just below the Westhoek to almost Central Limburg. They were actually sandbanks in the former Diestian Sea, which therefore had roughly its coastline on that line. This sandy subsoil has been oxidized over the course of millions of years into the well-known iron sandstone from which the churches of Diest and Aarschot have been build. Via a beautiful panorama path it continues in the direction of the Abbey of Averbode. Through the Mariapark you come to the Abbey. In the abbey street, or rather "the Lekdreef", on a warm summer's day it's well know for a scoop of ice cream. Now you walk further along beautiful forest paths in the direction of a piece of wet heath and land dunes. A piece is grazed by a herd of sheep. The last part then goes through forest to the starting point.

Download PDf for walking nodes to follow.

95% of this walk is unpaved.

Water-resistant hiking shoes because some paths can be soggy.

View the embedded image gallery online at:
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Author: Trailexplorer

Walking enthousiast

Map & POI's

POI 1 - Averbode Heide en Bos Nature Reserve.

People have changed the landscape in Averbode Bos and Heide several times. The history of the area is best known since the founding of the abbey of Averbode by the Norbertine brothers. Thanks to those brothers, the area was known for its high natural value. This came to an end when the area came into the hands of the noble de Merode family after Belgian independence in 1830. The forests suddenly had to yield. Timber extraction ensured unilateral management, which meant that many species disappeared. In 2004 the de Merode family sold 1500 hectares of their land to the Vlaamse Landmaatschappij. There are also some farms in their forest complex. De Bierhoeve and Den Eik were originally established as forest ranger houses. In addition to the forester's house, Den Eik was also a café and transfer location for the tram.

Natuurpunt
2800 Mechelen Coxiestraat 11.
Website: www.natuurpunt.be

POI 2 - Averbode Abbey.

The Abbey of Averbode can look back on a rich history, which spans ten centuries now. It was founded in 1134 on the initiative of Arnold II, Count van Loon. Soon agriculture is being done, which ensures the quality of life. Over the centuries, however, the abbey has undergone many trials: looting, fires, the plague, etc. At the end of the 18th century it was even sold and demolished. From the 19th century it goes back uphill. Monastic life is resumed and the abbey becomes the center of many activities: missionary work, a publishing house, etc. In the 20th century, the Norbertines founded various schools. Today, the Abbey of Averbode is looking ahead, including a versatile product basket and a brand new experience center.

Abdij van Averbode
3271 Scherpenheuvel-Zichem
Abdijstraat 1
Website: www.averbodemoment.be

POI 3 - De Weefberg.

The Weefberg in Averbode is one of the Diestian hills that cross Belgium from just below the Westhoek to almost Central Limburg. They were actually sandbanks in the former Diestian Sea, which therefore had roughly its coastline on that line. This sandy subsoil has been oxidized over the course of millions of years into the well-known iron sandstone from which the churches of Diest and Aarschot have been build.

No extra information.

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Averbode Forest and Heather

Averbode Forest and Heather

The Weefberg.

Map & POI's

Accessibility & HRC

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